HELSINKI COMMISSION TO HOST MEDITERRANEAN FORUM

Parliamentarians from the Maghreb to the Middle East to Meet in Washington

WASHINGTON—Fifty diplomats and parliamentarians from across the Middle East and Northern Africa will come together at the U.S. Capitol July 22 and 23 for a seminar organized by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission).

Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) will open the event in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

Leading parliamentarians are expected from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia – all countries which are Partners for Cooperation in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Chairman Cardin is a Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Co-Chairman Hastings serves as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs.

The two-day event will include seminars on current Mediterranean issues, a panel focused on security, a meeting on the current Mediterranean Partner relationship with the OSCE, and a public hearing on the future of the partnership, with the ultimate goal of improving the relationship between the countries and the OSCE.